Russia: US imposes own gas on EU by opposing Nord Stream-2

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW, May 24 (PRIME) -- The U.S. is trying to impose its uncompetitive gas on Europe by opposing Russia-led Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project, the Russian embassy in Washington said on Thursday.

The U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the U.S. opposes construction of the pipeline.

УBy attacking the Nord Stream-2, Washington is trying to force Europe to buy its uncompetitive liquefied natural gas,Ф the embassyТs statement read.УGeopolitics once again interferes in economics in a most blatant way to discredit claims about diversified supplies.Ф

German Ambassador to Russia Rudiger von Fritsch said Wednesday that Germany believes that the Nord Stream-2 pipeline will ensure reliable gas supplies to the E.U. countries, but believes it is necessary to keep transit through Ukraine.

УOf course, the Nord Stream-2 should prove its feasibility on the market. At the same time, the German government favors long-term continuation of natural gas transit through Ukraine on commercially acceptable terms,Ф he said.

The Nord Stream-2 project envisages construction of two lines of a natural gas pipeline with an annual capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters, running from the Russian shore to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Russian gas giant Gazprom will implement the project together with its European partners Ц Shell, OMV, Engie, Uniper, and Wintershall.